With an aim to sensitize the Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) about the effective and positive use of Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 (RTI Act), a day-long awareness cum training workshop was today organized here at Dak Bungalow with Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Farooq Ahmad Baba as the chief guest.The workshop was organized by J&K RTI Foundation which marked the participation of concerned PIOs, APIOs and various other concerned.On the occasion, a special Power Point presentation was given by the Foundation's Chairman Er. Irfan Banka wherein he presented a detailed account of the relevant provisions of the act. He stressed for effective and positive use of RTI Act and said that the act is a vital tool in strengthening democracy at grassroot level. Moreover, he said that the main objective of holding the workshop is to sensitize Public Information Officers (PIOs) to provide required information to the people under section 4 of the Act.
He urged upon all the stakeholders to make the RTI Act as stronger as possible so that no one could be the victim of misinformation.Describing RTI act as a tool of accountability and transparency, the ADC complimented the Foundation for organizing the workshop in district Baramulla adding that such an initiative proves beneficial in strengthening governance mechanism. He further said that seeking information from the government is the right of the information seeker while as it is the responsibility of an officer to give him information in a time-bound manner. He also said that Officers ought to provide information voluntarily to the public so that people do not feel the need to seek information through RTI act.A question-answer session was also held during which queries raised by different stakeholders were cleared by the speakers besides evoking feedbacks and suggestions in strengthening the legislation.